Evaluation of water treatment technologies for industrial water reuse
A global mining company requires an independent expert assessment of cost-effective treatment pathways to reduce sulphate-driven TDS from approximately 2,000 mg/L to 300 mg/L in mine water, enabling industrial reuse. The current baseline reverse osmosis combined with crystallization is energy-intensive and costly. The company seeks to evaluate whether biological sulphate reduction, chemical treatment, or hybrid configurations can deliver equivalent or superior water quality at lower cost and energy consumption. ROC Water Technologies proposes a structured 10-week evaluation that will: • Review site-specific water chemistry data and operational constraints • Develop and compare three to four alternative treatment flowsheets spanning biological, chemical, and hybrid configurations • Build mass balance models grounded in stoichiometric reactions, biological conversion efficiencies, and validated pilot data • Conduct rigorous CAPEX/OPEX modelling with sensitivity analysis on key cost drivers (chemical dosage, energy prices, sludge disposal) • Deliver pilot-ready design recommendations with scale-up considerations
About ROC Water Technologies
ROC Water Technologies is a South African-based company dedicated to transforming mine water treatment through a specialized, four-stage process. The company’s methodology focuses on recovering clean, potable water and valuable mineral products—such as pigment, aluminium sulphate, and calcium carbonate—from saline mine water, which is traditionally viewed as a waste stream. By integrating neutralization, reverse osmosis desalination, freeze crystallization, and thermal treatment, the firm aims to minimize environmental impact and reduce costs associated with waste disposal. Their approach is designed to be economically viable, ensuring that the value recovered from the process offsets operational expenses.
This technology provides a sustainable solution for the mining, power station, and fertilizer industries, addressing the challenge of acid mine water pollution. Beyond environmental stewardship, the company’s innovations help clients comply with zero-waste mandates and avoid the significant costs of hazardous waste management. ROC Water Technologies has been supported by various government and research bodies, including the Water Research Commission and The Innovation Hub, and collaborates with academic institutions to further develop and implement these technical solutions. The company’s work is instrumental in protecting water resources and promoting circular economy practices within industrial sectors.
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